The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-24
THE IRISH CRIMES BILL.

The Cloture Freely Used in Order to Head
OF the Irish Obstructionists.
LoNrNsN. May 23.-The House of Commons
resumed consideration of the crimes bill.
Mr.. Balfour, replying to question by Mr..
Gladstone. said the government had promised
to procure the return of the Irish people to
peaceful agrarian pursuits and that crime should
end with the month of May. Since the intro
duetion of the coercion bill, he said, there had
been marked Improvement in the conduct of
the people of Ireland and gratifying decrease
of crime.
Mr.. W. Fl. Smith said the governments thought
the amendments relating to intimidation should
be considered and decided by the House in COM
mittee. Regarding Sir Charles Russells amend
ment to omit the sub section of the second
clause, relating to the Whiteboy acts. he would
say that the government would withdraw the
section for the present, but would reserve the
right to restore it at the report stage of the bill
Mr. Balfour said the Whiteboy acts would not
be embodied in the bill. but, instead. it was pro-
posed to add to the bill any ofense contained in
the acts that it might seem desirable to include.
Mr. Healy inquired if this proposal to amend
would be moved with the Speaker in the chair.
Mr.. Balfour-Yes.
Mr.. Healy-Then I'll raise the entire question.
1s
moved an amendment that. while boycotting
and other minor ofTenses be tried by magistrates
in summary jurisdiction, conspiracy and other
serious charges be tried in superior court
Mr. Smith moved clotnre, which was applied,
and the amendment was defeated-215 to 126.
Mr. Smith then proposed ithat the last two of
the second sub-sections be added to Clause 2,
the effect of which motion would De 10 exclude
six amendments
Mr. Healy asked the chair if it were proper for
cloture to be moved over particular portion of
- L~I H~1- thov
ticular question before the committee.
The chair stated that cloture should first be
moved on the question.
Mr.. Smiths amendment was then carried. un-
der cloture. by a vote of 100 to ll6
Mr.. Healy moved that the word "th reats" be
substituted for intimidation
Mr. Bafour said the government would decline
to accent the amendment.
Mr. Heaiy's amendment was rejected.
Mr. Lefevre moved to omit the words "unlaw
full assembly" Rejected.
Mr.. Healy moved to report progress.
MIR Smith opposed the motion. The govern
ment, he said wanted to finish the clause in or
der to enable the House to adjourn tomorrow
until after Whitsuntide.
The motion rejected after discussion.
Mr. John Morley declared that it would be i'm
possible to dispose OF the clause within the time
stated.
Mr. Smith moved to put the next four lines of
the clause. covering fifteen amendments offered
by Parnellite members.
Mr.. Heaiy protested that Mr.. Smiths motion
was out of order, and the chairman agreed with
him.
Mr. Chance moved that the chairman leave the
chair.
Mr. Smith moved TO apply the rule of cloture,
which was carried by vote of 2o9 to ll3
Mr.. Chances motion negatived, and Mr.
Smith renewed his motion combining four lines
of the clause. which was carried, under cloture
--253 to 199
Other amendments negatived under
cloture on motion of Mr.. Smith, amid cries OF
''Shame" from the Irish benches
Mr. Smith then moved 10 put the question on
the remaining four lines of the third sub section,
excluding seven amendments, which was carried,
under cloture, by vote of 244 to 109
After further discussion the second clause OF